BE1025170B1 - Feed supplement for a feed for crustaceans - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a feed supplement for a crustacean feed, wherein the feed supplement comprises calcium butyrate and copper in a ratio of 120: 1 to 5: 1. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a crustacean feed comprising calcium butyrate and copper, a crustacean feed kit comprising a feed supplement according to the present invention, a use of a feed supplement according to the present invention for preparing a crustacean feed, and a use of a feed according to the present invention for feeding crustaceans.

Description

(30) Priority data:

(73) Holder (s):

VDS nv

8540, HONEST

Belgium (72) Inventor (s):

The present invention relates to a feed supplement for a feed for crustaceans, wherein the feed supplement comprises calcium butyrate and copper in a ratio of 120: 1 to 5: 1. The present invention further relates to a crustacean feed comprising calcium butyrate and copper, a kit for preparing crustacean feed comprising a feed supplement according to the present invention, a use of a feed supplement according to the present invention for preparing a crustacean feed, and a use of a feed according to the present invention for feeding crustaceans.

BELGIAN INVENTION PATENT

FPS Economy, K.M.O., Self-employed & Energy

Publication number: 1025170

Filing number: BE2017 / 5743

Intellectual Property Office

International classification: A23K 50/80

Date of grant: 21/11/2018

The Minister of Economy,

Having regard to the Paris Convention of 20 March 1883 for the Protection of Industrial Property;

Having regard to the Law of March 28, 1984 on inventive patents, Article 22, for patent applications filed before September 22, 2014;

Having regard to Title 1 Invention Patents of Book XI of the Economic Law Code, Article XI.24, for patent applications filed from September 22, 2014;

Having regard to the Royal Decree of 2 December 1986 on the filing, granting and maintenance of inventive patents, Article 28;

Having regard to the application for an invention patent received by the Intellectual Property Office on 17/10/2017.

Whereas for patent applications that fall within the scope of Title 1, Book XI, of the Code of Economic Law (hereinafter WER), in accordance with Article XI.19, § 4, second paragraph, of the WER, the granted patent will be limited. to the patent claims for which the novelty search report was prepared, when the patent application is the subject of a novelty search report indicating a lack of unity of invention as referred to in paragraph 1, and when the applicant does not limit his filing and does not file a divisional application in accordance with the search report.

Decision:

Article 1

VDS nv, Paanderstraat 40, 8540 DEERLIJK Belgium;

represented by

BRANTS Johan Philippe Emile, Pauline Van Pottelsberghelaan 24, 9051, GHENT;

CRABBE Ellen, Pauline van Pottelsberghelaan 24, 9051, GHENT;

a Belgian invention patent with a term of 20 years, subject to payment of the annual fees as referred to in Article XI.48, § 1 of the Code of Economic Law, for:

Feed supplement for a crustacean feed.

INVENTOR (S):

BLANCHAERT Koen, Groenenweg 19b, 9770, KRUISHOUTEM;

PRIORITY :

BREAKDOWN:

Split from basic application:

Filing date of the basic application:

Article 2. - This patent is granted without prior investigation into the patentability of the invention, without warranty of the merit of the invention, nor of the accuracy of its description and at the risk of the applicant (s).

Brussels, 21/11/2018,

With special authorization:

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FEED SUPPLEMENT FOR A SHELLFISH FEED

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a feed supplement for a crustacean feed and also relates to a crustacean feed per se.

BACKGROUND

The invention is in the field of fodder for crustacean farming. In aquaculture of crustaceans, these animals are usually close together so that the amount of natural food is insufficient to achieve good growth. It is therefore necessary to increase the growth of the crustaceans by adding fertilizers and / or supplements in the crustacean feed. The latter is within the scope of the present invention.

When using supplements in the feed to promote the growth of shellfish, it is important that environmental pollution is limited as much as possible and it is also important that the use of antibiotics is avoided.

Supplements in food for shellfish and such food are known per se from the prior art. This is described in WO2010027788A1, which provides improved and renewable aquaculture products, including shellfish, and methods for producing such aquaculture products by including healthy lipids containing stearidonic acid and gamma linolenic acid in the aquaculture feed. This in turn improves the health profile of the aquatic animals, which promotes growth and allows for additional and scalable commercial growth. W02010027788A1 has the problem that the described crustacean aquaculture feed produces suboptimal results for the growth of these animals.

The present invention aims to solve at least some of the above-mentioned problems.

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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides in a first aspect a feed supplement for a crustacean feed according to claim 1. More particularly, the feed supplement comprises calcium butyrate and copper in a ratio of 120: 1 to 5: 1.

A healthy crustacean that absorbs an easily digestible feed results in a fast-growing crustacean with a good feed conversion ratio (FCR). For this purpose calcium butyrate is a very effective means. Calcium butyrate ensures optimal intestinal health with maximum absorption of nutrients, stimulates the oral tolerance of the intestine and inhibits the growth of pathogenic bacteria. Furthermore, calcium butyrate has been found to provide improved digestibility of feed to which calcium butyrate has been added. In shellfish, the respiratory pigment hemocyanin is based on copper. Copper is therefore of great importance for good health, and therefore for good growth, of shellfish. Said ratio of calcium butyrate to copper is very suitable, when the feed supplement is added in a suitable amount to a crustacean feed, to provide this feed with a very suitable amount of calcium butyrate and copper, which makes such feed very suitable for crustaceans. feed and thus obtain fast growing crustaceans with a good feed conversion ratio (FCR).

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a crustacean feed according to claim 7. More particularly, said feed comprises wheat flour, soybean meal, flour as a by-product of animal production, gluten, fish oil, soy lecithin and salt, wherein the feed contains at least 0.04 weight percent calcium butyrate and comprises at least 0.005 weight percent copper.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides a kit for preparing shellfish food according to claim 15. More particularly, the kit comprises flour, soybean meal, flour as a by-product of animal production, gluten, fish oil, soy lecithin and salt, the kit further comprising feed supplement according to the first aspect of the invention.

The present invention provides in a fourth aspect a use of a feed supplement according to the first aspect of the invention for preparing a crustacean feed according to claim 16.

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The present invention provides in a fifth aspect a use of a feed according to the second aspect of the invention for feeding crustaceans, according to claim 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Quoting numerical intervals through the endpoints includes all integers, fractions, and / or real numbers between the endpoints, including these endpoints.

The term feed conversion ratio (FCR), as used in this text, refers to the ratio between the mass of feed administered to crustaceans and the mass of the weight gain of the crustaceans. A good feed conversion ratio (FCR) should be interpreted as a low FCR, and preferably as low as possible.

The term crustaceans, as used in this text, is to be understood as animals of the subphylum Crustacea, including lobsters, crabs, shrimps, prawns and crayfish. In a preferred embodiment, the crustaceans are shrimp.

In a first aspect, the invention provides a feed supplement for a crustacean feed, wherein the feed supplement comprises calcium butyrate and copper in a ratio of 120: 1 to 5: 1, and more preferably from 90: 1 to 8: 1.

A healthy crustacean that absorbs an easily digestible feed results in a fast-growing crustacean with a good feed conversion ratio (FCR). For this purpose calcium butyrate is a very effective means. Calcium butyrate ensures optimal intestinal health with maximum absorption of nutrients, stimulates the oral tolerance of the intestine and inhibits the growth of pathogenic bacteria. Furthermore, calcium butyrate has been found to provide improved digestibility of feed to which calcium butyrate has been added. In shellfish, the respiratory pigment hemocyanin is based on copper. Copper is therefore of great importance for good health, and therefore for good growth, of shellfish. Said ratio of calcium butyrate and copper is very suitable when the feed supplement

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BE2017 / 5743 is added in a suitable quantity to a crustacean feed, providing this feed with a very suitable amount of calcium butyrate and copper, which makes such feed very suitable for feeding crustaceans and thus fast-growing crustaceans with a good feed conversion ratio (FCR). Calcium butyrate may or may not be coated. Any suitable coating as known from the prior art can be used.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a feed supplement according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the feed supplement comprises calcium butyrate and copper in a ratio of 60: 1 to 10: 1, even more preferably from 45: 1 to 13: 1 and most preferably from 37: 1 to 15: 1. Said ratios of calcium butyrate and copper are extremely suitable, when the feed supplement is added in a suitable quantity to a crustacean feed, to provide this feed with an optimally suitable amount of calcium butyrate and copper, which makes such feed optimally suitable for crustaceans. feed and thus obtain fast growing crustaceans with a good feed conversion ratio (FCR).

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a feed supplement according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein said copper comprises copper glycinate and copper sulfate in a ratio of 1: 1 to 1: 3, and more preferably from 1: 1.3 to 1 : 2. Said ratios between copper glycinate and copper sulfate are extremely suitable for supplying shellfish with a desired amount of copper.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a feed supplement according to the first aspect of the invention, the feed supplement further comprising lauric acid. Lauric acid is advantageous as an additional component of the food supplement for a crustacean food since it has an antimicrobial effect. In a preferred embodiment, said calcium butyrate and lauric acid are present in the feed supplement in a ratio of 0.75: 1 to 3: 1 and more preferably from 0.85: 1 to 2.2: 1. Said ratio of calcium butyrate and lauric acid, in combination with aforementioned amounts of

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BE2017 / 5743 calcium butyrate is particularly suitable for providing crustaceans with a desired amount of calcium butyrate and lauric acid.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a feed supplement according to the first aspect of the invention, the feed supplement further comprising iron, manganese, selenium and iodine. Iron, manganese, selenium and iodine all have an effect on shellfish health. In a preferred embodiment, iron, copper, manganese, selenium and iodine are present in the feed supplement in a ratio of 50-70: 10-30: 90-110: 0.5-2: 2-6, for example 50-70 stands for 50 to 70 parts. Said ratio of iron, copper, manganese, selenium and iodine, in combination with amounts of copper mentioned above, is particularly suitable for providing crustaceans with a desired amount of these elements.

In a preferred embodiment, the feed supplement is comprised in an amount of 0.5 to 20, more preferably 0.6 to 18, and even more preferably 0.7 to 16 weight percent in a crustacean feed. Said amounts of the feed supplement in a crustacean feed are optimal to provide the feed with a sufficient and desired amount of calcium butyrate and copper. Also, said amounts of the feed supplement in a crustacean feed are optimal to provide the feed with sufficient and desired amounts of lauric acid, iron, manganese, selenium and iodine.

In a second aspect, the invention provides a crustacean feed comprising wheat flour, soybean meal, flour as a by-product of animal production, for example, from fish or poultry farming, gluten, fish oil, soy lecithin and salt, the feed being at least 0.04 weight percent calcium butyrate and at least contains at least 0.005 weight percent copper.

A healthy crustacean that absorbs an easily digestible feed results in a fast-growing crustacean with a good feed conversion ratio (FCR). For this purpose calcium butyrate is a very effective means. Calcium butyrate ensures optimal intestinal health with maximum absorption of nutrients, stimulates the oral tolerance of the intestine and inhibits the growth of pathogenic bacteria. Further

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BE2017 / 5743 appears to provide calcium butyrate for improved digestibility of feed to which calcium butyrate has been added. In shellfish, the respiratory pigment hemocyanin is based on copper. Copper is therefore of great importance for good health, and therefore for good growth, of shellfish. Said feed with said amounts of calcium butyrate and copper is optimally suitable for feeding crustaceans and thus obtaining fast-growing crustaceans with a good feed conversion ratio (FCR). Calcium butyrate may or may not be coated. Any suitable coating as known from the prior art can be used.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a feed according to the second aspect of the invention, wherein the feed is 0.05 to 0.4, more preferably 0.06 to 0.3, even more preferably 0.07 to 0 , 28, and even more preferably comprises 0.08 to 0.25 weight percent calcium butyrate. Said amounts of calcium butyrate are extremely suitable for the growth of crustaceans that are fed with such a feed.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a feed according to the second aspect of the invention, wherein the feed comprises 0.002 to 0.010 and more preferably 0.004 to 0.008 weight percent copper. In a preferred embodiment, said copper comprises copper glycinate and copper sulfate in a ratio of from 1: 1 to 1: 3, and more preferably from 1: 1.3 to 1: 2. Said amounts of copper and said embodiment of copper comprising copper glycinate and copper sulfate are ideally suited to provide shellfish with a desired amount of copper.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a feed according to the second aspect of the invention, the feed further comprising lauric acid. Lauric acid is advantageous as an additional component of shellfish food as it has an antimicrobial effect. In a preferred embodiment, said calcium butyrate and lauric acid are present in the feed in a ratio of 0.75: 1 to 3: 1 and more preferably from 0.85: 1 to 2.2: 1. Said ratio of calcium butyrate and lauric acid, in combination with amounts of calcium butyrate mentioned above, is particularly suitable for providing crustaceans with a desired amount of calcium butyrate and lauric acid.

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In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a feed according to the second aspect of the invention, the feed further comprising iron, manganese, selenium and iodine. Iron, manganese, selenium and iodine all have an effect on shellfish health. In a preferred embodiment, iron, copper, manganese, selenium and iodine are present in the feed in a ratio of 50-70: 10-30: 90-110: 0.5-2: 2-6, for example 50-70 stands for 50 to 70 parts. Said ratio of iron, copper, manganese, selenium and iodine, in combination with amounts of copper mentioned above, is particularly suitable for providing crustaceans with a desired amount of these elements.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a feed according to the second aspect of the invention, wherein the feed is 0.5 to 20, more preferably 0.6 to 18, and even more preferably 0.7 to 16 weight percent feed supplement according to the first aspect of the invention. Accordingly, all the technical achievements and positive features of the feed supplement according to the first aspect of the present invention are combined with those of the feed according to the second aspect of the present invention. In addition, said amounts of the feed supplement in the feed are optimal to provide the feed with a sufficient and desired amount of calcium butyrate and copper. Also, said amounts of the feed supplement in the feed are optimal to provide the feed with sufficient and desired amounts of lauric acid, iron, manganese, selenium and iodine.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides a kit for preparing crustacean food. More specifically, the kit includes flour, soybean meal, flour as a by-product of animal production, for example, from fish or poultry farming, gluten, fish oil, soy lecithin and salt, the kit further comprising a feed supplement according to the first aspect of the invention.

The present invention in a fourth aspect provides a use of a feed supplement according to the first aspect of the invention for preparing a crustacean feed, and preferably for preparing a crustacean feed according to the second aspect of the invention.

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In a fifth aspect, the present invention provides a use of a feed according to the second aspect of the invention for feeding crustaceans.

EXAMPLES

The invention will now be further elucidated by means of the following examples, without, however, being limited thereto.

EXAMPLE 1

Results of final mean body weight (ABWend), average growth rate (AGR), survival rate and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of shrimp fed with different feeds comprising calcium butyrate as a supplement are shown in Table 1. It is a feed that does not contain calcium butyrate (Control 1 ), a feed comprising 1 kg of coated calcium butyrate per ton of feed on a dry matter basis (Feed 1), a feed comprising 2 kg of uncoated calcium butyrate per ton of feed on a dry matter basis (Feed 2), and a feed containing 2 kg of coated calcium butyrate per ton of feed on a dry matter basis (Feed 3). Each of the feeds included 63 mg / kg of copper. With the exception of added calcium butyrate, the composition of each of the feeds is the same. Each of the feeds was tested with two repetitions. Table 1 shows mean values. Shrimps were fed based on a theoretical growth model. The daily amount of feed administered was adjusted based on the average body weight (ABW) of the shrimp and based on feeder observations.

Eight tanks with a volume of 500 L, present in a recirculation system, were filled with P. vannamei shrimps at a density of 60 shrimps per tank. Each type of feed was randomly assigned to two tanks. The test was started at an average body weight of 9.17 grams and lasted 62 days.

The temperature of water present in the tanks was maintained between 28 ° C and 30 ° C. A water salinity of 20 parts of salt per 1000 parts of water was maintained throughout the test. Other parameters such as pH, ammonia,

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BE2017 / 5743 nitrate and nitrite levels were measured every week. No abnormalities were observed.

Table 1 Results of final mean body weight (ABWend), mean growth rate (AGR), survival rate and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of shrimp fed with different feeds (Control 1, Feed 1, Feed 2, Feed 3) containing calcium butyrate as a supplement

ABWend (g) AGR (g / week) Survival rate (%) Feed conversion ratio (FCR) Control 1 21.87 2.00 95 2.88 Feeder 1 21.85 2.11 92 3.00 Feed 2 23.20 1.92 90 2.80 Feeder 3 22.99 1.86 96 2.72

Feed 1 resulted in a final mean body weight comparable to Control 1, while Feed 2 and 3 showed an improvement in final mean body weight of more than 5%. The survival rate was higher than 90% in all feeds.

The feed conversion ratio of Feeds 2 and 3 was reduced by 3% and 6% respectively from Control 1. Feed 1 showed an increase in feed conversion ratio of 4% compared to Control 1.

Generally, the shrimp fed with the feeds (Feeds 1, 2 and 3) showed an acceptable survival rate with good growth as well as good average body weight. Because of excellent results regarding ultimate average body weight and feed conversion ratio, feeds 2 and 3 are very suitable for breeding P. vannamei shrimp. This is due to the specific inclusion of calcium butyrate and copper in the feeds. This can partly be explained by the positive effect of calcium butyrate on the health of shrimps and the digestibility of feed, as well as the positive effect of copper on the health of shrimps. From the equation of

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Feed 2 and Feed 3 further show that the influence of the presence of a coating around calcium butyrate on the results is rather limited.

EXAMPLE 2

Results of final mean body weight (ABWend), average growth rate (AGR), total harvest weight (THW), survival rate and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of shrimp fed with different feeds including calcium butyrate or other acid as a supplement are shown in Table 2. The concerns a feed that does not contain calcium butyrate (Control 2), a feed that contains 0.2 g of calcium butyrate per 100 g of feed on a dry matter basis (Feed 4), a feed that contains 0.4 g of propionic acid per 100 g of feed on a dry matter basis (Feed 5), and a feed comprising 0.05 g of benzoic acid per 100 g of dry matter feed (Feed 6). Each of the feeds included 63 mg / kg of copper. Each of the feeds was tested with two replicates (denoted by subscripts 1 and 2, respectively). With the exception of the amount of calcium butyrate or added acid, the composition of each of the feeds is the same. Shrimps were fed based on a theoretical growth model. The daily amount of feed administered was adjusted based on the average body weight (ABW) of the shrimp and based on feeder observations.

Eight 500 L volumes contained in a recirculation system were filled with P. vannamei shrimp at a density of 55 shrimp per tank. Each type of feed was randomly assigned to two tanks. The test was started at an average body weight of 10.5 grams and lasted 49 days.

The temperature of water present in the tanks was maintained between 28 ° C and 30 ° C. A water salinity of 20 parts of salt per 1000 parts of water was maintained throughout the test. Other parameters such as ammonia and nitrite levels were measured every week. No abnormalities were observed.

Table 2 Results of final average body weight (ABWend), average growth rate (AGR), total harvest weight (THW), survival rate and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of shrimp

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BE2017 / 5743 fed with different feeds (Control 2, Feed 4, Feed 5, Feed 6) comprising calcium butyrate or another acid as a supplement

ABWend (g) AG R (g / week) THW (g) Survival rate (%) Feed conversion ratio (FCR) Control 2i 24.52 ab 2.00 1103 82 3.03 Control 2 ₂ 24.66 2.02 1159 85 2.73 Feed 4i 25.25 a 2.11 1313 95 2.07 Feed 4 ₂ 24.74 2.03 1311 96 2.14 Feed 5i 23.97 b 1.92 1318 100 2.22 Feed 5 ₂ 23.84 1.91 1288 98 2.21 Feed 6i 23.51 b 1.86 1293 100 2.37 Feed 6 ₂ 24.73 2.03 1187 87 2.81

A statistical difference was noted in ABW between Feed 4, Feed 5 and Feed 6 (Table 2). A difference was also expected in ABW between Feed 4 and Control 2, but due to a lower survival rate in the control group (Control 2), the shrimp had more room to grow.

Feeds 4 and 5 resulted in 15% extra kilograms harvested compared to Control 2. Feed 6 resulted in 9.6% extra kilograms harvested compared to Control 2. Part of this difference is explained by a lower survival rate of the control group (Control 2) .

The FCR of Feeder 4 was 27% lower than that of Control 2. Feeders 3 and 4 showed an FCR which was 23% and 11% better than the FCR value of the control sample, respectively (Control 2). Again, this large difference can be partly explained by the lower survival in the control group (Control 2) since 80% of the shrimp deaths occurred in the second part of the test.

Generally, the shrimp fed with the feeds (Feeds 4, 5 and 6) showed a high survival rate with rapid growth as well as a good average body weight, resulting in a high total harvest weight. However, the best results were obtained with Feed 4 which included calcium butyrate. This is partly possible

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BE2017 / 5743 can be explained by the positive effect of calcium butyrate on the health of shrimps and on the digestibility of feed.

EXAMPLE 3

Results of final mean body weight (ABWend), average growth rate (AGR), total harvest weight (THW), survival rate and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of P. vannamei shrimp fed with various feeds including calcium butyrate as a supplement are shown in Table 3.

It concerns a feed that does not contain calcium butyrate (Control 3) and a feed that contains 1 kg of calcium butyrate per ton of feed on a dry matter basis (Feed 7). Each of the feeds included 63 mg / kg of copper. With the exception of the amount of calcium butyrate, the composition of each of the feeds is the same. Each of the feeds was tested with two repetitions. Table 3 shows mean values. The feeding of the P. vannamei shrimp was carried out automatically according to fixed feeding schedules. A feeding trough was used to control feed consumption and to adjust feed amounts accordingly.

The shrimps were housed and fed in commercial open ponds located in a wet tropical climate. Fourteen ponds with a total surface area of 12.6 hectares housed 110 post-larval P. vannamei shrimp per square meter. All ponds were provided with shrimps in a span of one week. In addition, the shrimps were harvested in one week from all ponds. The test lasted 77 days.

The temperature of water present in the ponds was maintained between 27 ° C and 31 ° C. A water salinity of 18 to 20 parts of salt per 1000 parts of water was maintained throughout the test. The water was aerated mechanically. Other parameters such as pH, ammonia, nitrate and nitrite content were measured every week. No abnormalities were observed.

Table 3 Results of final average body weight (ABWend), average growth rate (AGR), total harvest weight (THW), survival rate and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of shrimp

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ABWend (g) AGR (g / week) THW (tons / hectare) Survival rate (%) Feed conversion ratio (FCR) Control 3 17.11 1.56 13.93 74 1.53 Feed 7 18.06 1.64 15.70 79 1.46

The final average body weight per shrimp was 5.5% higher for Feed 7 compared to Control 3. This is mainly attributable to the higher weekly growth rate of Feed 7 (+ 5.1%). In addition, the survival rate was 6.7% higher for Feed 7 compared to Control 3. The combination of these effects resulted in an increase in total harvest weight of 12.7% when Feed 7 was used, compared to Control 3. The specific amounts of calcium butyrate and copper in Feed 7 thus showed to be favorable for the growth and survival rate of the P. vannamei shrimp.

The feed conversion ratio of the shrimp in the case of the use of Feed 7 was 4.6% lower than in the use of Control 3. This is very favorable for the profitability in the cultivation of the shrimp.

EXAMPLE 4

Results of final mean body weight (ABWend), average growth rate (AGR), survival rate and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of P. vannamei shrimp fed with various feeds containing calcium butyrate as a supplement are shown in Table 4. It is a feed that does not include calcium butyrate (Control 4), a feed comprising 2 kg of lactic acid per ton of feed on a dry matter basis (Feed 8), a feed containing 2 kg of tributyrine per ton of feed on a dry matter basis (Feed 9), and a feed containing 1 kg of calcium butyrate and includes 1 kg of lauric acid per ton of feed on a dry matter basis (Feed 10). Each of the feeds included 63 mg / kg of copper. With the exception of the amount of calcium butyrate or added acid, the composition of each of the feeds is the same. Each of the feeds was tested with two repetitions. Table 4 shows mean values. Feeding the P. vannamei shrimp turned six

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BE2017 / 5743 automatically performed once a day according to a specific feeding schedule. A feeding trough was used to control feed consumption and to adjust feed amounts accordingly.

Eight 500 L volumes contained in a recirculation system were filled with P. vannamei shrimp at a density of 55 shrimp per tank. Each type of feed was randomly assigned to two tanks. The test was started at an average body weight of 9.27 grams and lasted 73 days.

The temperature of water present in the tanks was maintained between 28 ° C and 30 ° C. A water salinity of 20 parts of salt per 1000 parts of water was maintained throughout the test. Other parameters such as pH, ammonia, nitrate and nitrite content were measured every week. No abnormalities were observed.

Table 4 Results of final mean body weight (ABWend), average growth rate (AGR), survival rate and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of shrimp fed on different feeds (Control 4, Feed 8, Feed 9, Feed 10) including calcium butyrate as a supplement

ABWend (g) AGR (g / week) Survival rate (%) Feed conversion ratio (FCR) Control 4 24.89 1.50 95.4 2.48 Feeder 8 26.10 1.61 95.5 2.33 Feed 9 26.20 1.62 95.4 2.29 Feed 10 28.77 1.88 91.8 2.27

Shrimp fed with Feed 8, 9 or 10 showed a higher final average body weight than shrimp fed Control 4. Feed 10 resulted in a huge improvement in final average body weight of 15.6%. The survival rate was always high and in particular higher than 90%.

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The feed conversion ratio for shrimps fed with Feeds 8, 9 or 10 was significantly reduced compared to the feed conversion ratio for shrimps fed with Control 4. Feed 10 led to the highest reduction in feed conversion ratio, namely a reduction of 8.4%.

Thus, the use of both Feeds 8, 9 and 10 resulted in favorable results, with the most favorable results related to Feed 10. Thus, the specific amounts of calcium butyrate and copper in Feed 10 showed to be particularly favorable for good growth and feed conversion ratio of the P.

vannamei shrimp.

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Claims (17)

CONCLUSIONS Feed supplement for a crustacean feed, characterized in that the feed supplement comprises calcium butyrate and copper in a ratio of 120: 1 to 5: 1. The feed supplement according to claim 1, wherein the feed supplement comprises calcium butyrate and copper in a ratio of 60: 1 to 10: 1. A feed supplement according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said copper comprises copper glycinate and copper sulfate in a ratio of 1: 1 to 1: 3. The feed supplement according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the feed supplement further comprises lauric acid. A feed supplement according to claim 4, wherein said calcium butyrate and lauric acid are present in the feed supplement in a ratio of 0.75: 1 to 3: 1. The feed supplement according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the feed supplement further comprises iron, manganese, selenium and iodine. Shellfish food comprising wheat flour, soybean meal, flour as a by-product of animal production, gluten, fish oil, soy lecithin and salt, characterized in that the feed comprises at least 0.04% by weight of calcium butyrate and at least 0.005% by weight of copper. The feed according to claim 7, wherein the feed comprises 0.08 to 0.4 weight percent calcium butyrate. A feed according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the feed comprises 0.002 to 0.010 weight percent copper. A feed according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein said copper comprises copper glycinate and copper sulfate in a ratio of 1: 1 to 1: 3. A feed according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the feed further comprises lauric acid. A feed according to claim 11, wherein said calcium butyrate and lauric acid are present in the feed in a ratio of 0.75: 1 to 3: 1. A feed according to any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein the feed further comprises iron, manganese, selenium and iodine. A feed according to any one of claims 7 to 13, wherein the feed comprises 0.5 to 20 weight percent of a feed supplement according to any one of claims 1 to 6. 2017/5743 BE2017 / 5743 Kit for preparing crustacean feed comprising flour, soybean meal, flour as a by-product of animal production, gluten, fish oil, soy lecithin and salt, characterized in that the kit further comprises a feed supplement according to any one of claims 1 to 6. 5 Use of a feed supplement according to any one of claims 1 to 6 for preparing a shellfish feed. Use of a feed according to any one of claims 7 to 14 for feeding crustaceans. 2017/5743 BE2017 / 5743 FEED SUPPLEMENT FOR A SHELLFISH FEED